Process of and apparatus for trimming and marking lumber



April 12, 1932. J. G. MCDONOUGH PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND MARKING LUMBER Filed Jan. 3 Sheets-Sheet l R H. a wmfiw mM M m .v m m N M .N. N C T mu \I: e m A m W a E A x Q aw 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. G.' MCDONOUGH Filed Jan.

INVENTOR JOSEPH 6. MCDONOUGH X/2 4 6% M PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND MARKING LUMBER A TTORNEX? April 12, 193.2.

April 12, 1932. J. G. M DONOUGH 3 Q PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND MARKING LUMBER Filed Jan. 18, 1930 5 Shets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR la JOSEPH GMCDONOUGH li Q MMM J FZQ 5 AT-roFmsYs Patented Apr. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT series JOSEPH G. MCDONOUGH, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA; LOUISE ALLGEYER MGDONOUGH ADMINISTRATR-IX F SAID JOSEPH G. IIICDO NOUGH, DECEASED PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND MARKING LUMBER Application filed Januar 18, 1930. 'Seria1No.421,793.

This invention relates to an improved process of and apparatus for trimming or squaring the ends of lumber and applying an identifying means to the lumber.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved process of squaring the ends ofa piece of lumber with a longitudinal edge thereof and applying an identifying means thereto, which consists in straightening the lumber and holding it in a straightened position, then trimming its ends squarelywith a longitudinal edge or side thereof, and finally applying an identifying means or mark to a surface of the lumber.

A further object is to provide an improved process of squaring the ends of pieces of lumber with the longitudinal edges thereof, which consists in straightening the lumber by the application of pressure to one or more 9 sides thereof and holding it in such straightened position, and then trimming the ends of the lumber squarely with the longitudinal edges thereof.

A further object is to provide an apparatus comprising a table over which the lumber to be treated is fed, means for straightening each piece of lumber and holding it in a straightened position whereby the ends there of may be trimmed squarely with a longitudinal edge or side thereof, and a marking device adapted to apply an identification means to a surface of the lumber.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the class described comprising means for feeding lumber longitudinally, a straightedge, means for forcing the lumber against said straightedge and holding it thereagainst while trimming the ends thereof whereby the ends of the lumber may be trimmed squarely with the longitudinal sides thereof, means for exerting a downward pressure upon the lumber simultaneously as it is held against said straightedge, and a device for applying an identifying mark to a surface of the lumber. Other objects of the invention will appear to the longitudinal sides or edges thereof so from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of the apparatus;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view i on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view on the line 33 of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a detail plan View showing crooked or warped pieces of lumber positioned against the straightedge;

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the same pieces after having been straightened;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view illustrating a valve adapted tocontrol' the operation of the pressure bars; and

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a means for controlling the operation of the pistons which actuate the means adapted to exert a downward pressure upon the lumber to straighten it. a

In the manufacture of lumber, the ends'of the finished I lumber pieces are often inadvertently cut at a slight angle with respect that when the lumber is used in the construction of a building, it becomes necessary'for the workman to square the ends of each piece of lumber in order that the joints between adjacent pieces will not be unnecessarily noticeable. It is particularly. essential that lumber such, for example, as hardwood flooring, have its ends squared with the sides thereof so that the joints between adjacent pieces will not be noticeable. It is the purpose of this invention to provide an apparatus capable of squarely trimming the ends of boards, timbers, or bundled lumber, whereby it will be unnecessary for the workman to manually trim the ends of each piece of lumber as it is incorporated in the construction of a building.

In the present embodiment of the invention, there is illustrated in the drawings, an apparatus for feeding the lumber, including spaced side rails 2 and 3 mounted upon suitable supports 4:, and having a plurality of power driven feed rollers 5 arranged therebetween. These rollers may have their peripheries corrugated or otherwise treated to cause them to feed the lumber placed thereon.

In the drawings, particularly Figure 1, each feed roller 5 is shown provided with a bevel gear 6 meshing with a similar gear 7 non-rotatably mounted upon a drive shaft 8, which may be driven from a suitable motor 9 by a belt drivell, as shown in the upper left hand corner of Figure 1. The motor is preferably of the reversible type so that the lumber may be fed in. either direction, lengthwise of the apparatus.

A feature of the present invention resides in the means provided for straightening the lumber and squarely trimming the ends with the sides thereof. Tothus straighten and trim the ends of. each piece of lumber, a straightedge 12 is preferably provided at one side of the feed table, as shown in Figures 1, 1, and 5. The straightedge 12 may extend the full length of the feed table or just a portion of its length as desired, and it is preferably faced with a plurality of anti-friction rollers 10, to minimize friction, when the lumber is held thereagainst under pressure. A pressure bar 13 is mounted to travel in a direction cross-wise of the feed table, and is here shown operated by a. piston rod 141 having a piston 15. operatively mounted in a cylinder 16 suitably supported upon a block or supporting member 1?, here shown secured to the side frame member 2. (See Figures 1 and 2.)

In some cases, it may be desirable to employ two pressure bars 13 so that both ends of the lumber may be trued without turning the lumber on the table, and I have here; shown two such bars, each provided with a cylinder 16 and piston 15. As these mechanisms are similar in construction, but one will be described in detail. The pressure bars 13 may be adapted for'either independent or simultaneous operation, as desired. In Figure 1, I have shown the pressure bars arranged for simultaneous operation, and the pistons 15 operable by air pressure. The pressure bars 13 are preferably faced. with antifriction rollers 20 in a manner similar to the straightedge.

The inner ends of the cylinders 16 are connected together by means of a conduit 18 having a pipe 19 connecting it with a suitable valve 21. The opposite ends of the cylinders are similarly connected by a conduit 22 hav ing a pipe 23 connecting it with the opposite end of the valve 21. An air supply pipe 24 connects the valve with a suitable source of air pressure (not shown) and is adapted to supply air to the pipes 19 and 23 which, as above stated, are connected with the pipes 18 and 22, respectively. An exhaust 25 is provided upon one side of the body of the valve 21, and connections may be selectively established between this pipe and the pipes 19 and 23, by manipulation of a slide 26, mounted within the valve body as best shown in Figure 6. The slide 26- may be operated by means of a rod 27' projecting from one end of the valve casing and having its end adapted for connection with a suitable operating means, not shown. r

In Figure 6, the slide 26 is shown in neutral position wherein it will be noted that the pipes 19 and 23 are out of communication with the interior of the valve 21. By manipulating the slide 26, the pipes 19 and 23 may be selectively connected with the supply pipe 26:, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 6. The construction of the alve 21 is also such that when the slide 26 is moved in one direction to cause air under pressure to be delivered to one end of each 15 may be forcibly operated at will in either direction.

The pressure bars 13 are suitably secured to the ends of the piston rods 14c and may be slidably supported upon rails 29 each having one end secured to a plate. 31, here shown integrally formed with the walls of the cylin ders, and having their opposite ends suitably secured to the side rail 3 by such means as bolts 32.. A cross-head 30 is slidably mounted upon the rails 29, and to these cross-heads the pressure bars 13 are suitably secured, as shown in Figure 3.

The means provided for trimming the ends of the lumber is indicated in Figure 1, and comprises a circular saw 33 secured to a shaft 34: mounted at the lower end of a hanger 35 adapted for swinging movement, whereby the saw 33 may be moved across the feed table to transversely sever the lumber pieces positioned thereon The shaft 34 is shown provided with a pulley 36 driven by a belt 37 operatively connected with a suitable source of power, not shown. The construction of the upper end of the hanger 35 and the drive for the pulley 36, is of ordinary construction,

and it is therefore thought unnecessary to show the same in detail in the drawings, it being understood, however, that the saw is adapted to travel backwardly and forwardly across the feed table. In some instances, it may be. deemed advisable to mount the saw support for sliding instead of swinging movement.

Means are also provided for holdingthe pieces of lumber downwardly against the feed table during the operation of squaring the ends thereof, so that should any of the lumber pieces be bent or crooked in avertical plane, they may be straightened before the saw is brought intov engagement with the lumber. A means for thus holding the lumber downwardly against the face of the table is shown in Figure 2, and may consist of a plurality of anti-friction rollers or wheels 38 each supported upon the lower end of a piston rod 39 provided at their upper ends with suitable pistons 41 mounted for reciprocal movement in suitable cylinders 42.; Two rollers or wheels 38 are preferably provided in connection with each pressure bar 13, and the cylinders 42 thereof maybe supported upon threaded rods 43 rotatably mounted in hangers 44 as shown in Figure 2. Each cylinder 42 is here shown provided at its upper end with a threaded socket 45, adapted to receive the threaded rods 43 so that when these rods are rotated, the cylinders may be moved in a direction crosswise of the feed table.

In the drawings, I have shown the rods 43 adapted to be actuated by an operating shaft 46 which may be driven from a suitable belt drive 47 from a source of power, not shown. If desired, this shaft may be manually operated by suitable means as, for example, a crank. The shaft 46 may be operatively connected to a pair of upright shafts 48 by suitable bevel gear drives 49 which connect them with the operating shaft 46. The upper ends of the shafts 48 are connected by similar bevel gear drives 51 to the threaded rods 43, so that when the operating shaft 46 is rotated, the cylinders mounted upon the rods 43, which are operatively connected therewith, will be actuated simultaneously.

The cylinders 42 associated with each pressure bar 13 are preferably connected together by means of pipes 52 and 53 as shown in Figure 7, and a control valve 54, similar to the one shown in Figures 1 and 6, is provided for controlling the supply of air to and from the cylinders to control the operation of the piston rods 39. The valve 54 is provided with an exhaust 55 and has an air supply pipe 56 connecting it with a suitable source of air supply, not shown. The valve 54 may be operated by means of a control rod 57 in a manner similar to that shown and described with reference to Figure 6.

be understood by reference to Figures 1,

and 3.

Means are also provided for applying an identification mark or means to each piece of lumber as it is fed over the feed table. Such a means is shown in Figures 1 and 2, and comprises a marking wheel 59 rotatably mounted upon a pin 61 secured in a supporting plate 62 pivoted at 63 to a suitable support 64. The marking wheel 59 is normally yieldably supported in the position shown in Figure v1 by means of a compression spring 65 coiled about a rod 66 having one end pivotally connected to the supporting plate 62, and itsopposite end slidably supported in a fixed guide 67 as shown. Adjusting nuts 68 r are provided upon the rod 66 for varying the tension in the compression spring 65, whereby the pressure of the marking wheel against the lumber may be regulated. The marking wheel 59 isshown in normal position in Figure 1, wherein it will be noted that a portion of its periphery projects over the feed table and beyond the inner surface of the straightedge 12. -Thus, when a piece of lumber or timber is fed over the feed table and is held in engagement with the straightedge 12, asurface thereof will engage the periphery of the marking wheel, whereupon the wheel will be moved outwardly against the action of the spring 65, the latter, however, causing the marking Wheel to be held in engagement with a surface of the lumber so as to cause a mark to be imprinted thereon as the lumber is fed through the apparatus. The periphery of the marking wheel 59 may be provided with one or more rows of identification elements, whereby one or several pieces of lumber may be marked at the same time, as they are fed throughthe apparatus as shown in Figure 2.

In the drawings, I have shown the marking wheel 59 provided with an inking device in-' cluding an inkwell 69 adapted to supply ink to an inking roll 71, which peripherally engages a plurality of rolls 72. Two of these function as transfer rolls to transfer ink from the periphery of the inking roll 71 to the periphery of the marking roll or wheel 59, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 1. The inking roll 71 is shown driven from the feed wheel 59 by means of a chainand-sprocket drive 73.

In the operation of this novel lumber trimming and marking apparatus, the pieces of lumber are placed upon the feed table either singly, or in bundles and fed to a position beneath the pressure wheels 38. r The pressure 1 bars 13 are then actuated by manipulation of the valve 21, whereby the pieces of lumber are iii! foncecl against the :strai-ght'edge 12, as indicatediin Figure 5 Piecesof lumber which'may be crooked in .ahorizontal plane, as indicated in Figure -l will thus bestraightened, and, while the pieces are firmly held in engagement with the straightedge 12, the saw 33 is actuated to trim the ends thereof squarely with the longitudinal sides or faces of the lumber. Should the lumber be twisted or crooked in a vertical plane, it may be straightened by manipulation of the valve 54p, which will cause the pressure wheels 38 to be moved downwardly into engagement with the lumber and firmly press it against the rollers 5 and 58 as shown in Figure 2. During the operation of trimming the ends of the straightened pieces of lumber, the feed rolls 5 are, of course, not operated, so that the travel of the lumber will be temporarily interrupted. As soon as the ends of the lumber have been trimmed, the valves 21 and 54 are manipulated to release the pressure bars 13 and wheels 38, whereupon the feed rollers may be started and the lumber fed through the machine to a suitable receiving means. As the lumber is fed past the marking wheel 59, the latter will cause an imprint or identification mark to be applied to a surface thereof so that each piece of lumber will hear an identification mark. The pressure wheels 38 also function to prevent the lumber from turning over when pressure is applied thereto by the pressure bars 13.

In the drawings, I have shown a device adapted to apply an identification mark to a vertical side surface of each piece of lumber fed through the apparatus, but it is to be understood that marking devices may be employed that mark an end surface of the lumber as, for example, the devices disclosed in Patents No. 1,383,552, February 5, 1921; No. 1,400,223, December 13, 1921; and No. 1,715,207, May 28, 1929 or that mark he bot tom surface of the lumber as the device shown in Patent No. 1,715,206, May 28, 1929.

I claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a table over which the lumber to be treated is fed, a fixed member on the table, means for forcibly pressing the lumber against said member to straighten it laterally, a device suspended over the table and adapted to engage and press the lumber downwardly against the table top to straighten it in a vertical plane, means for trimming and squaring the ends of the lumber while the latter is held under pressure, a support for said device arranged over said table, means for moving said device on said support in a direction transversely of the table, whereby lumber of different widths may be trimmed.

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising a table over which the lumber to be treated is fed, a fixed member on the table, 7

means for forcibly pressing the lumber against said member to straighten it laterally, a device suspended over the table and adapted to engage and press the lumber downwardly against the table top to straighten it in a vertical plane, means for trimming and squaring the lumber while the latter is held under pressure, a movable support for said device arranged transversely over said table and having an operative connection with said device, and means for actuating said support to move said device in a direction crosswise of the table whereby lumber of different widths may be trimmed.

3. An apparatus of the class described comprising a table over which the lumber to be treated is fed, a fixed member on the table, means for pressing the lumber against said member to straighten it laterally, a cylinder suspended over the table and having a plunger operable therein, a pressure member secured to said plunger and adapted to engage and press the lumber downwardly against the table top to straighten it in a vertical plane,1neans for trimming and squaring the ends of the lumber while the latter is held under pressure, a rotatable support for said cylinder arranged over said table, means for actuating said support to move the cylinder and its pressure member in a direction crosswise of the table whereby lumber of different widths may be trimmed, and means for marking each piece of lumber.

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a table over which the lumber to be treated is fed, means for feeding the lumber over said table, a fixed member on the table, means for forcing the lumber against said member to straighten it laterally, cylinders mounted over said table and each having a plunger, a. pressure member on each plunger adapted to engage and press the lumber against the table top to straighten it in a vertical plane, means for squaring the ends of the lumber while held under pressure, threaded shafts mounted over said table and each having a threaded connection with one of said cylinders, means operativelyconnecting together said cylinders, and means for simultaneously actuating said shafts whereby said cylinders will be laterally translated with respect to the table.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising a table over which the lumber to be treated is fed, means for feeding the lumher over said table, a fixed member on the table, means for forcing the lumber against said member to straighten it laterally, cylinders mounted over said table and each having a plunger, a pressure member on each plunger adapted to engage and press the lumber against the table top to straighten it in a ver tical plane, means for trimming and squaring the ends of the lumber while held under pressure, threaded shafts transversely arranged over the table and each having a threaded connection with one of said cylinders, means operatively connecting together said cylinders, a gear mechanism for simul taneously actuating said shafts whereby said cylinders will be laterally translated with respect to the table, and means for applying an identification mark to the lumber while held by said pressure means.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of January 1930.

JOSEPH G. MoDONOUGI-I. 

